Sarnia-Lambton can expect a healthy dose of subzero temperatures and the white stuff, according to Environment Canada. Unlike last year's mild winter, senior climatologist David Phillips said this winter season will come earlier, stay later and create moments where you wish you were somewhere else this year.

"For those people who like winter, it won't be a disappointment like what they had last year," Phillips said. "Those that don't like it? Well hey, you had your season last year, so fair is fair."

Local drivers are being reminded to winter proof their vehicles, pack emergency kits, and above all, adjust their driving.

About 700 accidents were reported on city roads between January and the end of March last year, according to Sarnia police. A total of 178 accident reports listed loose snow, slush or ice as the road conditions at the time.

Sarnia police chief Phil Nelson said a variety of factors, like a lack of driving experience and winter tires, can lead to car crashes during the snowy months.

"If you're going somewhere, give yourself some more time rather than rushing to get where you're going because sometimes you just can't stop and the higher the speed you're going, probably the greater the accident," he said.

Drivers are reminded to keep their vehicles filled at more than one-half full at all times. They should check defrost and interior heaters, replace windshield wipers and switch to winter windshield washer fluid.

"Ensuring your vehicle is in top condition and slowing down will reduce the number of collisions which result in injury and death on our roadways," OPP traffic Insp. Ian Chappell said in a release.

While ice anglers and snowmobilers may be rejoicing over news of a true winter, Phillips said Sarnia-Lambton will likely only see an average one. December temperatures will hover around the average daytime high of 1 degree Celsius and drop to around -6 degrees Celsius overnight.

Phillips said this fall climatologists saw El Nino waters -- often an indicator of a milder than normal winter -- but those have since disappeared.

"The one thing I'm certain about is it's going to be tougher than last winter," he said. "We cancelled winter last year. It didn't exist last year."